U.S. Army Environmental Command News
Fort Hood a LEEDer in Environmental Stewardship
As the Army transitions to the U.S. Green Building Council's Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) rating system for military construction, Fort Hood is incorporating LEED criteria into the Comprehensive Army Master Planning System (CAMPS). CAMPS is an interactive, web-based tool that assists in decision making and builds efficiencies into everyday planning to create and maintain a sustainable installation.
Fort Hood plans to be the first Army installation to build and certify a LEED Silver-level building under the statutory limit of
"Fort Hood is demonstrating that a base can focus on the long term environmental sustainability of its facilities while enhancing their suitability for the Soldiers, civilians, families and neighbors, and reducing potential pollution impacts from its daily activities," explained
Buildings that meet LEED sustainable construction standards typically consume 30 percent less energy and use 20 percent less water than the average. LEED buildings also must comply with American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) Standard 62.1-2004, designed to improve ventilation for indoor air quality, and therefore human health and productivity.
LEED construction efforts are part of the installation's Environmental Management System (EMS) which focuses on air quality, energy management, pollution prevention and water quality. Fort Hood's EMS determined that these environmental quality aspects most affect the mission and quality of life of the installation's Soldiers and other inhabitants.
Through its Environmental Management System, Fort Hood is also making strides in Waste Reduction. By analyzing waste streams throughout the installation, Fort Hood implemented reuse and recycle initiatives that saved 3 million gallons of water and recycled 1 million gallons of hazardous waste.
Although the environmental team is responsible for environmental compliance, everyone at Fort Hood has a responsibility to the Army's environmental program. Formal training sessions and briefings were given to Soldiers, Families, civilians, and contractors ensuring environmental awareness across the installation, and helping to reduce the overall environmental impact.
The environmental team at Fort Hood is diligent in ensuring that new and returning personnel are educated and updated on the environmental requirements of their organizations, and that all community members have the opportunity to learn about and practice sound environmental stewardship.
Serving the needs of more than 240,000 people, Fort Hood is making environmental responsibility fun. Community-wide events such as
For their efforts waste reduction, public awareness, and green building, Fort Hood will receive the Army's highest honor in environmental stewardship — the Secretary of the Army Environmental Award for environmental quality.
This information is provided by USAEC. USAEC is the Army's point organization for supporting the implementation of environmental programs that facilitate sustainable Army training and operations while protecting the environment. We provide environmental program management and technical support products and services in support of Army training operations, acquisition and sound stewardship.
"Sustaining the Environment for a Secure Future"
For more information on the U.S. Army Environmental Command, visit http://aec.army.mil
SOURCE U.S. Army Environmental Command
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